NHS Pharmacy First

Ear infection: NHS Pharmacy First

If your child is aged 1 to 17 and has earache that might be an ear infection, a pharmacist can assess them through the NHS Pharmacy First service. The pharmacist needs to look inside the ear, so this service is only available in our Bury pharmacy, not by video.

The consultation is free. Children under 16, and young people aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, don’t pay prescription charges.

Call 0161 222 1024Visit us
Hassan Khan MPharm, Pharmacist Independent Prescriber (GPhC 2067135)
Bury Healthcare Pharmacy · GPhC-registered pharmacy 1126145 · Reviewed October 2026

Who can use this service

You can use Pharmacy First for an ear infection if the child is aged 1 to 17 and has a middle ear infection (acute otitis media).

The pharmacist will refer you to your GP or another service instead if, for example, the child:

  • is under 12 months old
  • keeps getting ear infections
  • has a weakened immune system
  • has fluid coming from the ear, or swelling or redness behind the ear
  • has had earache for more than 3 days without improvement

Adults (18 and over) with earache should see their GP or ask a pharmacist for advice.

Symptoms of an ear infection

  • earache
  • a high temperature
  • difficulty hearing, or a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear
  • discharge from the ear
  • in young children: rubbing or pulling the ear, being irritable or restless, eating less, or losing their balance

What happens in the consultation

The pharmacist asks about the child’s symptoms and general health, and looks inside the ear with an otoscope (a small light). Depending on what they find, they may:

  • give you self-care and pain-relief advice
  • supply ear drops or, in some cases, an antibiotic, where clinically appropriate
  • refer you to your GP or another service if the child needs further help

We tell your GP about the consultation on the same day or the next working day.

Things you can do to help

  • give paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain (don’t give aspirin to children under 16)
  • wipe away any discharge with cotton wool
  • don’t put anything in the ear, such as cotton buds or fingers
  • keep water and shampoo out of the ear, and avoid swimming

Most ear infections clear up within 3 days, but some last up to a week.

When to get urgent help

Get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if the child seems generally unwell, has a very high temperature or feels hot and shivery, has swelling around the ear or fluid coming from it, has new hearing loss, is being sick or dizzy, or has a severe sore throat. Call 111 for advice about a child under 5, and for a baby under 12 months with earache in both ears.

See your GP if earache hasn’t improved after 3 days, or the child keeps getting ear infections.

Frequently asked questions

How do children get ear infections?
Ear infections often follow a cold. Germs travel from the back of the nose to the middle ear through a small tube, which is shorter in children, so they get ear infections more often than adults.
How long does an ear infection last?
Most clear up on their own within 3 days, but some last up to a week.
Can you catch an ear infection?
Not directly. But the cold or flu viruses that often lead to ear infections can spread from person to person.
Do ear infections need antibiotics?
Not usually. Most get better on their own, and pain relief helps in the meantime. The pharmacist supplies an antibiotic only where it is clinically appropriate.
Can I have a video consultation for an ear infection?
No. The pharmacist needs to look inside the ear, so please visit our Bury pharmacy. You don’t need an appointment.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Come in during opening hours. If you’d like to check the pharmacist is free, call 0161 222 1024.
NHS Pharmacy First

Visit our Bury pharmacy

46 Walmersley Road, Bury BL9 6DP. You don’t need an appointment. Pharmacy opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 6pm.

Get directions

NHS Pharmacy First at Bury Healthcare Pharmacy
Other conditions: Urinary tract infection (UTI) · Sore throat · Sinusitis · Impetigo · Shingles · Infected insect bite

This page is general information about an NHS service and does not replace advice from your GP. Sources: NHS website condition and contraception pages; NHS England Pharmacy First and Pharmacy Contraception Service specifications.